"Yes," he answered, with slight hesitation. "I saw her safely as far as Charing Cross, but was compelled to leave her there, and put her in a cab for Hammersmith." "How far is that?" "About five kilometres," he replied. "I have had no telegram from her," she observed. "She promised to wire to me as soon as she arrived, and I am beginning to feel anxious about her." "Worry is useless," he said calmly. "She is no doubt quite safe with her friends. I gave the cabman the right address. My official business was pressing, or I would have gone out to Hammersmith with her." "You remember what I told you on the night we parted in Florence?" she said mysteriously. He nodded, and his dark face grew a shade paler. "Well, I have discovered that what I suspected was correct," she said, her eyes flashing for an instant with a strange glint. "Some one has betrayed the secret." "Betrayed you!" he gasped. She shrugged her shoulders. Her clear eyes fixed themselves fiercely upon him. "You alone knew the truth," she said. "And you have broken your promise of silence." He flinched. "Well?" he said. "You are, of course, at liberty to make any charge you like against me, but I can only declare that I have not divulged one single word." Then he added quickly, "But what of Armytage? Does he know anything?" "Absolutely nothing," she answered quickly. "I love him. Remember that you and I have never met before our introduction this afternoon." "Of course," the Captain answered. "Curious that Vittorina has disappeared! If I hear nothing of her, I shall go to London and find her," Gemma observed, after a few moments' silence. "Better not, if you really have been betrayed," he answered quickly. "I have been betrayed, Captain Tristram," she said rapidly, with withering scorn, her face flushing instantly, her large, luminous eyes flashing. "You are well aware that I have; and, further, you know that you yourself are my bitterest enemy. I spare you now, mean, despicable coward that you are, but utter one word to the man I love, and I will settle accounts with you swiftly and relentlessly." She held her breath, panting for an instant, then turning from him, greeted her lover with a sweet, winning smile, as at that moment he returned to her side. CHAPTER SEVEN. DOCTOR MALVANO. Among the thousand notable dining-places in London, Bonciani's Restaurant, in Regent Street, is notable for its _recherche_ repasts. It is by no means a pretentious place, for its one window displays a few long-necked, rush-covered flasks of Tuscan wine, together with some rather sickly looking plants, a couple of framed menus, and two or three large baskets of well-selected fruit.